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have a toro lawnmower about 3 years old that won't start. New spark plug, oil good, plenty of gas. Air filter little dirty. some places telling me probably carburator. Wanted to fix myself though but not sure if I can do. Was hoping would be solid state module since easier to access and replace. Ideas?
HiCustomer Is the spark plug firing good on it ? Is the spark plug wet with gas after you try to start it ?
hey man, no gas on it after I try to start although what's interesting is after the amount of times I choked it with red push button, would have thought I flooded it! Wonder if somehow not getting gas thru line?
How do I check if spark plug is firing good? Also, could it be the solid state module and if so, is there a way to check to see if that's working?
I don't beleive it is the module. To check for a spark pull the spark plug out and stick it back into the plug wire and ground the tip of the spark plug and try and start as your trying to start it watch the tip of the plug it should have a good spark to it, it may take two people to do this plus if you have to hold the spark plug use some pliers with rubber grip handles as it may shock you if you don't. Butt before you take the spark plug out try to start it some and pull the spark plug out and see if the tip of it is wet with gas .
ok, did pull out after tried to start it and tip never had any gas on it. But I did not see if there was a spark when connected to plug wire. I will do that tonite. If there's a spark, it's not the module I assume. What would I check for then?
If you have a spark and it's not the module, Then I would check the carb it may need cleaned out good and maybe rebuilt. I would take and put a little gas in the top of the carb or a little in the plug hole and see if it starts if it does and you know it is a carb related problem.
ok, so I cleaned out carb completely last night, really didn't look like needed. After, tried to restart, and still nothing. But I noticed not getting a spark if I am doing that properly. I just crank engine with spark plug attached to plug wire and I should see sparks right? I put gas on which tip, the one that screws into engine right? How do I ground? And if there's no spark, it should be module you think?
I have never done this before so forgive me if I sound like a complete moron here! I'd take it in if I could afford to get it done in case you're wondering....
also, I am wondering if my primer isn't working properly since I never see gas on tip of spark plug when I pull it out. Nothing was blocking lines when I cleaned last night however and again, it's just 3 yrs old, in great shape.
Just trying to give you as much info as I can!
If you prime it and try and start it for a few minutes the spark plug should get wet with gas if the carb is working right and the spark plug is not firing.Did you have the tip of the spark plug grounded against the metal part of the engine ? If the tip of the spark plug is not grounded it wound not spark when you try and start it . If you try it again and you have a spark put a table spoon of gas in the hole where the spark plug goes and put the plug back in and try and start it, if it is a gas problem it should run for a second.
ok will try tonite. I have never had any gas on tip of spark plug when I pull it out no matter how much I have primed and tried to start. So sounds like a dirty carberatur would cause that not to even prime properly or get gas thru the line? I sprayed carberator good with carb cleaner last night, maybe I didn't spray where needed to?
If your never getting finding a wet spark plug after trying to start it just move right to putting a little gas in the spark plug hole and put the spark plug back in and try and start it, It should start for just a second. If it does then your carb most likely needs pulled apart and cleaned and maybe rebuilt. Sorry for the slow responses I had to work 3rd shift last night at my other job.
sounds good and will do, you kidding, slow? You've been awesome dude! Really appreciate your help.
Just let me know what you find out. Thanks
ok man, just went home for lunch, did what you said, worked like a charm! Hooray, at least I know what problem is hopefully.
So I have attached pic of what I am assuming is carberatur. What is best way to clean it if I have already done so last night? The rings look just fine. The aluminum "cup"
was sparkling clean, so just want to make sure I clean properly if you think that's why my primer is not getting any gas into carberatur.
I would pull the fuel line off and make sure it's getting gas to where it hooks onto the carb and if it's getting a good flow of gas I would check the bowl on the bottom of the carb and make sure it's getting fuel to it. If it's getting a good flow of fuel to the carb it make just be the primer needs replaced. I would check this and let me know what you find out. When you put the gas in it and it started did it stay running
ok. it ran for about 3 secs and shut off. Course I did not have air filter on so that may have had something to do with it (probably not).
Most likely the primer is bad on it. If it was in my shop I would rebuild the carb and replace the primer as long as your getting a good flow of fuel from the gas tank. I hope this helps.
whats best way to check if primer bad? no cracks in it but i can replace anyway since not expensive. will do other things as well.
so one last ?--if primer worked and i kept priming, would it fill up the bowl?
Yes it should fill up the bowl. Also the bowl getting fuel in it without using the primer?
no, it's not getting any fuel in it at all. it was dry as bone when i opened last night
Check the primer, pull the fuel line off and hold your finger over the hole where the fuel line came off and press and press the primer bulb and see if you feel any suction. After pressing it a couple of times and keeping your finger on it the primer should stay in but if it pushes back out and then the primer is bad.But if the primer stays sucked in until you remove your finger then I would have the carb either rebuilt or replaced and if you have the carb rebuilt or replaced I would replace the primer to since they do not cost much.
so you'd "rebuild" meaning get a carb kit?
again, what a help you've been. THANK YOU
Yes, I would get a carb kit and also get a new primer bulb for it and replace it all at once and that should take care of your problem. Thank you and I've enjoyed helping you out on your problem.
YOU ROCK!!!! when i hit accept, will i still be able to see the string of our email?
Yes, You'll just have to go back to this question. It might be under reports or my questions. Also if you have problems finding it you can email customer service and they'll be able to help you get back on it.
k thanks
Your welcome
HelloCustomer
The primer bulb on the carb has nothing to do with filling the bowl of the carb up. The inlet needle valve controls that. If you have a good flow of fuel to the carb inlet fitting and the bowl is not filling up with fuel then the needle valve is stuck against the seat. You stated that you cleaned the carb. The brass bolt head on the bottom of the carb is the main jet. It will have a couple of holes in the sidewall of it that intersect with a vertical hole. If these holes are not open the engine will not run regardless of how much gas the carb has going in to it. The carb can only fill up so far and then the float rises and closes the needle valve which shuts off the fuel. If you did not check for these holes being clear, then you will need to pull it back apart and make sure they are. The primer is simply to aid in starting. It creates pressure is the bowl which pushes a charge of fuel out the main nozzle to get the engine fired until vaccum takes over with pulling the fuel up out of the bowl. If the engine continues to run if you keep pressing the primer, that says the primer bulb is doing its job pushing the fuel up into the carb. Your problem is going to most likely be in the main jet in the bottom of the carb.
Small Engine Technician
Owner of outdoor power equipment business, repairing all makes and models.
kinda wondered that. Makes sense
Check it out and let me know what you find with the main jet.
It's running. Thanks
I'm glad you got it running.